Nut-lock.



O. VINCENT.

NUT LOCK.

APPLIGATION FILED DEG.19, 1912.

1,089,607. Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

wuemtoz 0. VINCENT.

NUT LOOK.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.19, 1912. 1,089,607. Patented Mar. 10, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ELLE-1E 53 56 57 w gluon H101;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ODEODE VINCENT, OF LEROY, LOUISIANA.

NUT-LOCK.

1 b all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Onnonn VINCENT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Leroy, in the parish of Vermilion and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut-Locks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in nut looks.

The object of the invention is to provide a bolt with a nut which when the nut is applied thereto and the locking device applied cannot be unscrewed except by the use of a specially constructed wrench and, consequently, is especially adapted for use in connection with steam or other engines and various kinds of machinery.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bolt equipped with this invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section thereof; Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section of the nut engaging locking element; Fig. 4 is a plan view of said element with parts broken out; Fig. 5 is a similar view with the top plate removed; Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is an end view of the clamping nut; Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is an end elevation or top plan view of the auxiliary locking member; Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of one of the pawls carried by the main locking member; Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the auxiliary locking member; Fig. 12 is a side elevation partly in section of a bolt equipped with this improved locking means and of a specially constructed wrench for use in unlocking the nut, said wrench being shown in operative position for removing the auxiliary locking member; Fig. 13 is an end view of the wrench; Fig. 1 1 is a longitudinal section thereof taken on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13.

In the embodiment illustrated a bolt 1 is shown having the usual head at one end and screw threaded at its other end, said thread- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 19, 1912.

Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

Serial No. 737,723.-

ed end being slit or slotted longitudinally as shown at 2 for the greater portion of the length of said threaded end and for a purpose to be described. A nut 3 is constructed for use in connection with this bolt between which and the bolt head the article to be secured is clamped. This nut is shown of the usual polygonal shape to facilitate the use of a wrench for screwing it up when a wrench can be used and having a plurality of ratchet teeth a in one end thereof with which spring pressed pivoted pawls or dogs 5 carried by an actuating member 6 are designed to engage (see Fig. 2). These teeth 4: are produced by forming recesses in the end of the nut each having an inclined bottom wall 46* with a straight wall 41 at one end (see Fig. 8). The dogs 5 engage the straight walls 4* when the nut 3 or the bolt is turned in one direction and locks the nut to the member 6 and when the nut or bolt is turned in the opposite direction said dogs ride freely over the inclined bottom walls 46* and permit the nut to move independently of the locking member 6.

The member 6, which is designed as a screwing or actuating device for the nut as well as a lock therefor, comprises a casing 7 having a polygonal outer face to facilitate 1ts engagement by a wrench. Within this casing is arranged a coiled spring 8 having one end secured to the casing and the other end extended laterally across the opening in the nut. An annular flange or partition 9 is formed on the inner wall of said casing near one end separating the easing into two chambers in which the coiled spring 8 and an auxiliary ratchet wheel. 10 are respectively housed. The laterally bent free end of the spring 8 is designed to slip into the slit 2 of the bolt 1 as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the turning of said member 6 in one direction will wind up the spring. This spring 8 is designed as a self-screwing device, or as a device for screwing the nut inward should said nut become loosened or the threads thereof wear out. When the member 6 is used for this purpose, the spring 8 will exert its tension to turn said member 6 and screw up the nut, the dogs 5 thereof being in engagement with the ratchet teeth of the nut. This is especially useful when the bolt is used in tight places where a wrench can not be operated. This casing 7 is provided with end covers or plates 11 and 12 removable to afi'ord access to the interior of the casing, said covers being secured by screws or other suitable means.

The dogs 5 are preferably made substantially triangular as shown in Figs. 3 and 10 and are pivoted in chambers 13, formed in opposite sides or" the member 6, to swing longitudinally of the casing. Springs 1% are disposed in said chambers under the free ends of the dogs and exert their tension to project said dogs to adapt them to yieldingly engage the ratchet teeth a or the nut 3. These dogs 5 have laterally extending lugs 15 at the inner edge of their free ends to form stops for limiting the outward movement of the dogs.

The ratchet wheel 10 is loosely mounted in the casing in the smaller outer chamber formed by the partition 9 and has a strip or bar 16 extending transversely across the center of the opening therein which is de signed to slip into the slit 2 of the bolt 1 and secure the wheel 10 to the bolt thereby providing for the turning of the wheel with the bolt. This wheel 10 is used to prevent the screw from unscrewing. A spring pressed pawl 17 is housed in a recess in one side wall of the wheel chamber and projects into the path of the teeth of the wheel 10 for engaging them and locking the member 7 against turning in one direction against the tension of spring 8.

An auxiliary locking member 20 is provided to prevent the removal of the locking member 6 except with a specially constructed wrench and as shown this member 20 comprises an annular truncated cone shaped block having a cross bar 21 for engagement with the slit of the bolt and provided with spring pressed pawls as 22, the biting ends of which project into the bore or" the block and engage the threads or" the bolt thereby locking the device against outward movement but permitting it to move inwardly. These pawls 22 are housed in oppositely disposed slots or recesses in toe member 20 but are preferably constructed in the form of hell cranks with a lateral tooth 23 on one free end extending into the bore of the member 20 for engagement with the bolt threads as above described. The free ends of the arms 24 of the bell cranks project beyond the outer face o1 the member 20 a slight distance and form grips for actuating the levers and releasing the teeth thereof from the bolt threads which is effected by exerting downward pressure on said projecting lever or pawl ends. Springs 25 are seated under the arms 24 of the pawls and exert their tension to force the toothed ends of said pawls or levers into the path of the bolt threads and to hold them in engagement with said threads, whereby the lock 20 is held against outward movement but permitted to move inwardly. This auxiliary lock 20 is provided with transversely arranged oppositely disposed sockets 26 preferably disposed in a plane at right angles to the pawls for engagement by a wrench to be described.

In the use of this device the nut 8 is iirst screwed onto the threaded end of the bolt 1 or the bolt inserted in said nut as the case may be and the locking member 6 is then slipped onto the threaded end of the bolt with the cross bar 16 thereof slidably engaging the slot in said bolt and is moved inwardly until the projecting pawls or dogs 5 engage the recesses forming the teeth l of the nut 3. lVhen in this position the nut is held against turning in one direction by said dogs 5 but is permi ted to turn in the opposite direction the dogs riding freely over the teeth of said nut as above lescribed. When the nut 3 is to be applied to a bolt in a place inaccessible to a wrench, the nut may be screwed home by removing the plate 11 and the ratchet wheel 10, and then turning the member 6 backwardly, which will wind up spring 8 and when the member is released, it will revolve rapidly and the dogs 5 thereof being in engagement with the teeth a or" the nut 3 will turn said nut with it, thus screwing the nut home, or the member 6 may be turned back and forth, thereby screwing up the nut 3 until it reaches the limit of its inward movement. The ratchet wheel 10 and plate 11 are then replaced, and the nut is thus locked against unscrewing. After the member 6 is inserted in operative position to lock the nutS the auxiliary locking member 20 is slipped on the breaded end of the bolt outside of the member 6 with the bar 21 slidably engaging the slot 2 of the bolt to prevent turning of said lock 20. This member 20 is moved inwardly until it contacts with the outer face or end of the member 6, the ends of the dogs or pawls 22 thereby riding freely over the bolt threads during this movement of the lock but springing into engagement with said threads and locking the member 20 against outward movement until said pawls are released.

To remove the member 20 for releasing the bolt it is necessary that the pawls 22 be disengaged trom the threads of the bolt by exerting pressure on the projecting ends 01? the arms 2% thereof and against the tension of the springs 25 and when said pawls so held the member 20 may be mo ed outwardly by a suitable implement which may be engaged with the sockets 26 formed in said member. 'After this auxiliary lock has been removed from the bolt the member 6 may be slipped longitudinally outward thereby disengaging the nut 3 and permitting it to be turned in outward direction on the bolt.

A casing 27 closed at one end is designed to be slipped over the members 6 and and detachably secured to the nut 3 for protecting the various parts of the locking mechanism against the weather and to prevent unauthorized persons from interfering with the ope ation thereof. As shown this casing is held in operative position by spring pressed locking pins 29 which extend transversely through the casing or shell 27 and engage sockets -formed in the nut To remove this shell it is only necessary to spring said pins outwardly and the shell may be readily slipped oil and the locl; ing means exposed.

The wrench shown in use in connection with this improved locking device comprises a tubular member 30 for slidable en gagement with the bolt end and having oppositely disposed slots or recesses 31 and in which gripping levers 38 and 3-it are fulcrun'ied, said leve being in the form of bell cranks with studs 85 projecting inwardly from one end and which are adapted to engage the sockets 26 in the member 20 for withdrawing said member when the pawls thereof have been released from the threads oi the bolt. Links 36 are pivotally connected at one end with the other tree ends of said bell crank levers and operating levers 3"? are pivotally connected vith the other ends of said links 36 as shown clearly in Fig. 12. These levers 37 are fulcrumed in seat-s formed in the block 30 and coiled springs 38 are mounted in said seats and positioned to exert their tension to force the free ends of said levers 37 normally outward thereby causing the studs to extend normally inward into gripping position.

Longitudinally extending fingers 39 project from the end of the block 30 in which the bell crank levers S3 and 3% are mounted and are preferably provided with inturned lugs 40 which are adapted to engage the projecting ends 2% of the pawls 22 on the auxiliary lock 20 and on the inward movement of said block force said ends rearwardly against the tension of the springs mounted thereunder and thus release the teeth of said pawls from the threads of the belts and at the same time the studs spring into engagement with the sockets Q6 of said member 20 and said member 20 may be readily removed by withdrawing the wrench connected therewith. After this wrench and the member 20 have been re moved from the bolt end the free ends of the levers 37 are pressed inwardly thereby forcing the studded ends outwardly and disengaging them from said member 20. After this member 20 has been removed the memher 6 may be readily slipped off the bolt and the nut released.

1 claim as my invention:

1. In a nut look, a belt, a nut adapted to be screwed thereon and having a plurality of ratchet notches, a locking member slidable on said bolt and having a spring projected locking pawl arranged to engage said notches for locking the nut against turning in one direction, means for holding said locking member against turning, and having housed pawls for locking it against outward movement.

2. In a nut look, a belt, a nut adapted to be screwed thereon and having a plurality of ratchet notches, a locking member slidable on said bolt and having a spring projected locking pawl arranged to engage said notches for locking the nut against turning in one direction, means for holding said locking member against turning and having housed pawls for looking it against outward movement, said pawls having actuating arms projecting beyond the outer face of said auxiliary locking member.

3. The combination with a nut having ratchet notches, locking means for said nut comprising a member having a pawl for engagement with said notches and means for engaging a bolt to lock said member against turning, a member for locking said pawl carrying member against outward movement, and having means to hold it against turning, and spring pressed pawls for engaging the threads of a bolt to hold said members against outward movement.

4. In a nut look, a bolt having a longitudinal slot extending inwardly over the free end of the threaded portion thereof, a nut adapted to be screwed thereon and having a plurality of ratchet notches in its outer end, a nut locking member comprising a casing having a coiled spring secured at one end thereof within the casing and its other end extended laterally to engage the slot in said bolt, spring pressed pawls extending longi tudinally from said casing for engagement with the ratchet notches of said nut, means for locking said casing against turning in one direction, and auxiliary locking means for locking said casing against outward movement.

5. In a nut look, a bolt having a longitudinal slot extending inwardly over the free end of the threaded portion thereof, a nut adapted to be screwed thereon and having a plurality of ratchet notches in its outer end, a nut locking member comprising a casing having a coiled spring secured at one end thereof within the casing and its other end extended laterally to engage the slot in said bolt, spring pressed pawls extending longitudinally from said casing for engagement with the ratchet notches of said nut, means for locking said casing against turning in one direction, auxiliary locking means for locking said casing against outward movement, said auxiliary means comprising a hollow truncated cone shaped memliier having a transverse bar at its smaller end for engagement with the slot in said bolt, oppositely disposed pawls housed in said member, springs for forcing the free ends or said pawls into engagement with the threads of the bolt.

6. in a nut look, a bolt having a longitudinal slot extending inwardly over the free end of the threaded portion thereof, a nut adapted to be screwed thereon and having a plurality 01 ratchet notches in its outer end, a nut locking member comprising a casing having a coiled spring secured at one end thereof within the casing and its other end extended laterally to engage the slot in said bolt, spring pressed pawls extending longitudinally from said casing for engagement with the ratchet notches of said nut, means for locking said casing against turning in one direction, auxiliary locking means for locking said casing against outward movement, said auxiliary means comprising a hollow truncated cone shaped member having a transverse bar at its smaller end for engagement with the slot in said bolt, oppositely disposed pawls housed in said 1nen1 ber, springs for forcing the free ends of said pawls intoengagement with the threads of the bolt, said pawls having one end projecting laterally from the outer face or" said member to form actuating devices for disengaging the pawis from the threads of the bolt.

'7. In a nut lock, a bolt, a nut adapted to be screwed thereon, a member for locking said'nut against turning in one direction, cooperating means on said bolt and member for holding said member against turning in one direction, an auxiliary locking device for holding said member against longitudinal movement comprising a hollow block having means for engaging the bolt to hold said auxiliary device against turning, thread engaging pawls on said device, said device having sockets arranged in the walls thereof.

In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

@DEODE VINCENT. Witnesses Jos. N. PREJEAN, Aars'rrrn PREJEAN.

Copies ei this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

